29 Ekim Kadınları Association Marks Treaty of Lausanne Anniversary, Calls for Democracy

The 29 Ekim Kadınları (October 29 Women) Association issued a statement commemorating the 103rd anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne, which they described as the "title deed" to Turkey. The association emphasized that the treaty is a valuable legacy from the leaders and people who concluded the War of Independence, passed down to future generations. In their statement, signed by Chairperson Şenal Sarıhan, the association declared their duty to protect the treaty, viewing it as a document of independence and sovereignty, much like every inch of Turkish soil. They highlighted that the "new Turkey," learning from past wars, adopted the principle of "peace at home, peace in the world," asserting that neither Turkish leaders nor citizens should covet the territory or waters of any other nation. They stressed that it is the duty of the patriotic people to halt those pursuing new conquests. The association further described the Treaty of Lausanne as marking the "rebirth" of a nation that was intended to be erased from European lands and have its Anatolian territories partitioned and colonized. Under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü, and their comrades, the treaty recognized the nation's rights to the world, delineated the country's borders, acknowledged the sovereignty of the people living within Turkish territory, abolished capitulations, and paved the way for modernization. Concluding their statement, the 29 Ekim Kadınları Association affirmed that the Treaty of Lausanne remains a symbol of full independence, national sovereignty, peace, and populism in their minds. They called for all inhabitants of Turkey to consider themselves owners of the land and to respect each other's language, religion, gender, and worldview. The association celebrated the anniversary by demanding an end to the "extraordinary political situation" in Turkey, the formation of governments through free elections, and the abandonment of decisions and actions that obstruct democracy.

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The Treaty of Lausanne is a very valuable legacy from the people and leaders who concluded our War of Independence to the generations that followed them. We, as the 29 Ekim Kadınları Association, consider ourselves obligated to protect this agreement, which is a document of our independence and sovereignty, just like every inch of our homeland.